Ravichandran Ashwin, the champion spinner, is up in arms against those who he believes are trying to put a spin on the matter of ‘spirit of cricket’ with regards to a contentious run he and Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant took off an overthrow during the IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Sharjah on Tuesday.

Ashwin initiated the run after the fielder’s throw ricocheted off Pant and that didn’t go down well with KKR captain Eoin Morgan. The duo had a brief altercation following that incident and then an exchange of words followed between Ashwin and KKR pacer Tim Southee after the latter dismissed him in the final over of the Capitals innings.

Later in the match, Ashwin’s red-hot expressions after he knocked Morgan over for nought suggested that the spinner was fuming inside.

Since then, the world has been divided in its opinion on the matter. While Shane Warne called it “disgraceful” on Ashwin’s part to steal that run, Virender Sehwag stood by the Indian, reminding Morgan of the 2019 World Cup final, in which England were awarded the winning runs off an overthrow after the ball ricocheted off Ben Stokes’ bat.

On Thursday, Ashwin, who never backs away from a contest, took to Twitter to call a spade a spade.

In a thread of tweets, Ashwin wrote: “1. I turned to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and dint know the ball had hit Rishabh. 2. Will I run if I see it!? Of course I will and I am allowed to. 3. Am I a disgrace like Morgan said I was? Of course NOT. 4. Did I fight? No, I stood up for myself and that’s what my teachers and parents taught me to do and pls teach your children to stand up for themselves.”

Ashwin added: “In Morgan or Southee’s world of cricket they can choose and stick to what they believe is right or wrong but do not have the right to take a moral high ground and use words that are derogatory.

“What’s even more surprising is the fact that people are discussing this and also trying to talk about who is the good and bad person here!”

What the MCC says

In the preamble to the Laws of Cricket, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) comments on the ‘spirit of cricket’.

“Cricket owes much of its appeal and enjoyment to the fact that it should be played not only according to the Laws, but also within the Spirit of Cricket. The major responsibility for ensuring fair play rests with the captains, but extends to all players, match officials and, especially in junior cricket, teachers, coaches and parents.”

Among other points, it also says that “respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket” and recommends to “play hard and play fair” and to “create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct, and encourage others to do likewise”.

Way Ash sees it

But the subject has always been open to interpretation and Ashwin reminded the same to his critics. “To all the ‘Cricket is a gentleman’s game’ fans in the house’: There are millions of cricketers with several thought processes that play this great game to make it their careers, teach them that an extra run taken due to a poor throw aimed to get you out can make your career and an extra yard stolen by the non striker can break your career.

“Do not confuse them by telling them that you will be termed a good person if you refuse the run or warn the non striker… Give your heart and soul on the field and play within the rules of the game and shake your hands once the game is over.

“The above is the only ‘spirit of the game’ I understand.”

Neutral opinion

Former India batsman Arun Lal, who is also the Bengal head coach, summed it up saying: “Beyond the laws, there’s the spirit of the game. Also, there’s something called sportsman spirit, which is indeterminate, indefinable and everybody knows what it is. And it’s about doing the right things.”

But then, the question is: how do you define what is the right thing?